FKF Electoral Board member, Steve Mburu addressing press on October 28. PGOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAIROBI, October 27 – The vetting of clubs mandated to vote in sub branch and branch Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections will be done by an independent body, the Electoral Board has announced.
At the same, the Board extended the nomination and presentation of fees deadline of sub branch and branches candidates to November 11, a fortnight before the elections.
The Electoral Board who will decide whether to divide Nairobi County into two; released a list of 1,101 clubs from 10 regions eligible to vote with North Rift leading with 264.
Speaking on behalf of Board chairman, Donald Kipkorir, Member Steve Mburu, declared they have approached three bodies; the Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC), Institute for Education and Democracy and Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy, to conduct the exercise and will thereafter settle on one.
“We have sourced enough to ensure verification issues raised by aspirants are well dealt with. We have identified independent bodies that we will work with to vet all clubs presented to us by FKF and verify candidates.
“Although formed by FKF in their AGM. we are independent. We have taken over to ensure whoever wants to contest can be accommodated so long as they meet the requirements. We are here to ensure football wins,” Mburu underscored after the Board met presidential candidates on Wednesday.
Incumbent, Sam Nyamweya opted to sit out of the gathering with Board Treasurer, David Mereka accusing him of trying to scuttle the process.
However, the Board distanced itself from the statement made by Mareka after the FKF boss threatened to sue the Treasurer for what he termed as character assassination.
“There were issues on the press about which account the nomination fees is supposed to be channeled but we want to make it clear that we have opened an Electoral Board account that will be used by all candidates.
“It’s an honour serving in the Board but we have names to protect and when your name has been adversely mentioned, it’s important for somebody to find a way of defending himself. We cannot control that but going forward, we want to centralise information coming from us. The threats made by FKF president were directed to an individual and not the Board,” Mburu explained.
On his part, the Treasurer, said, “There was a reply by the president of FKF concerning the email that I sent to press and he made certain threats, so in that respect I cannot comment on that letter because the threats are still valid,” Mereka asserted.
The Board is yet to get funds to conduct the elections with Mburu outlining they have written to world governing body FIFA and the Government to come to their aid.
“It’s a very expensive election particularly at this time because we want whoever will be in office to have authority. For us to achieve that, we need to spend time, money and resources.
“We also request FKF to hand to us money they have reserved for the exercise. For the credibility of these elections, if we don’t have the funds to verify the branches and candidates, let me assure you we shall not hold the elections,” Mburu, who is a board member declared.
